I’ve seen it repeatedly mentioned that only SOs, the CO, and the XO being able to drive the ARC is a problem. SO in particular is a role that is frequently mentioned as it pulls an SO away from the CIC where they are considered to most useful. So what can be done?
There is a stale PR which would add a pamphlet and access key so the driving role could be delegated. This does seem like a viable solution, but it’s stale so I don’t know if it would ever be implemented.
I propose allowing Intelligence Officers to drive the ARC. One of the features that is mentioned in the original PR for the ARC but I have never seen used are the intel and data disk upload terminals. If they are still present, this seems like a major oversight. Perhaps because intel isn’t typically involved with the CIC. Allowing IOs to drive the ARC seems like a neat solution to both these problems. Moreover, I don’t think this will mean that intel points will be drastically easier to get as IOs will still need to get vials, corpses, research grants, recipes papers, and the various retrievables to the Almayer.
Lastly I propose this because I hope it will be an easier change to implement than other possible solutions.
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A good SO in an ARC will get CIC’s radar to see where the bugs are and move the ARC as needed. ARC works best when used as an accessory, not a big toy to take to the frontline or on every map where it’s too tight.
The ARC is fragile and isn’t as tanky as expected for an IOs job.
As I’ve expressed before, I’m not interested in having IOs drive the ARC, for the following reasons:
- The ARC is a vehicle meant for command, first and foremost. Allowing IOs (the role with far lower expectations than SO/XO/CO) to drive it will only lead to its role being diluted when people roll for IO to beg for the ARC.
- The ARC is not very good exclusively for IOs. It’s not tanky and the antenna functionality means you won’t be able to leave in a hurry. The reason that the ARC contains the intel terminals is to allow IOs to use the ARC as a “staging post” of sorts, where they can enter and dump intel.
- I will state this as many times as needed. The ARC is not meant to be used every round. The requirement for an SO+/synth to drive it is to encourage thoughtful use of it only when the round’s CIC population/plan supports it.
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only the synth may drive the arc for lore accuracy